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Sometimes it just takes one….New Public Market Bylaws #justsayin

Finally some equity for Public Markets in the City of Edmonton

On April 23,2018 Just A Little Night Market Ltd., after a 5 year wait was issued the first Public Market Organizer license. The battle began in 2013, when Just A Little Night Market (NME) became the first public (night) market in the city of Edmonton. The city had no category for a public markets and this meant NME’s journey began as a flea market and bore all the headaches associated with operating in a category that does not fit.

In March, NME attended the Urban Planning Committee to speak to Council, the proposed bylaws and highlight how they were not only inequitable but, as well preventing public markets to flourish. NME was the only public market organizer who attended. Frustrated by the lack of support from other organizers and the lack of stakeholder engagement NME raised the numerous concerns alone for the benefit of all.

The result?

Five years later, after numerous hurdles, inequitable rules, a lot of frustration and confusion; city Council on April 10, 2018, passed the a new bylaw that better balances the interests of all markets.

What does that mean for Public Markets?

Previous Bylaw

Flea Market

Every market vendor requires a business license

Food vendor must obtain a business license and provide food made from a commercial kitchen